• Working as a staffer in a political organization is a good place to get into environmental politics.

• All members of congress employ an environmental legislative assistant.

• You can work on sustainability inside corporations. Look for positions as Corporate Responsibility Officers or Sustainability Officers.

Republicans for Environmental Protection is an organization dedicate to restoring the GOP's great conservation legacy. Rob cites several environmental Republican presidents who established milestones in our nation. Abraham Lincoln protected Yosemite. Ulysses S. Grant created Yellowstone, the first national park. Theodore Roosevelt championed conservation by designating 150 National Forests and five national parks. Even conservative icon Ronald Reagan ratified the Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone Layer. Rob's expertise is in Republican environmental politics but his advice could just as easily translate to the Democratic Party. While any college major can lead to a career in politics, law degrees are very common and any classes in environmental science would also be helpful. Look for entry level positions as political staffers, at think tanks, or in foundations.

MICA ODOM

National Energy Media Director
Environmental Defense Fund

• Mica attended Columbia Business School and concentrated in Social Enterprise. Look to Ivy League MBA programs for business training in sustainable energy.

• Internships, even unpaid, or other networking opportunities are the key to getting your foot in the door in green and environmental industries.

• MBA and business students should look to Net Impact for networking opportunities in green and environmental industries. Net Impact has chapters on most campuses in many cities, and the web site includes a jobs page.

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. As National Energy Media Director for the Environmental Defense Fund, Mica Odom has insight into career success in green marketing. Mica points to the success of past EDF campaigns such as the 2007 landmark deal that canceled eight coal-fired power plants proposed in Texas and adopted an unprecedented set of environmental initiatives, preventing 57 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Mica's career highlights the importance of business skills in the green and environmental industry. MBA programs in both the Ivy League and state schools are offering innovative programs that highlight green and environmental business training. The economic push from MBA students trained in sustainable business models is currently demonstrating the viability of green career fields such as engineering, green building, renewable energy finance, green marketing, and philanthropic foundations with an environmental focus.

CHRIS ROSE

Executive Director
Renewable Energy Alaska Project

• Engineering and policy degrees drive green technologies. Look at education opportunities at the University of Alaska, where the Center for Energy and Power is a leader in green tech research.

• Alaska has a better business case for green energy than most states. Energy is very expensive in remote parts of Alaska, making renewable energy and energy efficiency something these places are gravitating to naturally.

Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) is an education and advocacy organization that includes utilities, environmental and consumer groups, businesses, and Native Alaskan partners. Chris Rose leads REAP, Alaska's first and only organization focused on renewable energy. Alaska is a great place to pursue green renewable energy research, with funding for university research programs. Hydro power in Alaska already provides 24 percent of Alaska's statewide electrical power. Alaska also has some of the best wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal and wave power potential in the United States.

SANDY PICKARD

Business Manager
Solar Energy International

• Take classes at Solar Energy International. Workshops are offered in solar, thermal, green building, and even hydro technologies. Classes are offered in twelve locations around the US.

• Roofers can improve their skills by taking classes in solar energy installation.

Solar Energy International has been providing education in solar and other renewable energy technologies for 20 years. They have become one of the premiere institutions for accredited renewable energy workshops and offer classes in a number of locations.

Business manager Sandy Pickard highlighted the important work this non-profit does through their educational mission. Solar Energy International has expanded to include workshops in solar electric, solar thermal, micro-hydro, and wind energy. Classes are also offered online.

CHRIS STEVENS

Communications Director
Center For A Sustainable Future

• Organic farms offer volunteer positions, and can be good places to learn renewable agriculture.

• Iowa State University has a great educational resource: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State is a great place to learn about the newest advances in sustainable agriculture.

• Another excellent resource, The Stone Barn Center, (north of Manhattan) is a non-profit education center and farm. They offer education for sustainable agriculture.

The Center for a Livable Future (CLF) at John's Hopkins university works in research, educational outreach, and community action targeted at "farming, eating, and living for our future." As Communication Manager for the CLF, Chris Stevens works daily in support of these goals.

Sustainable, or resilient, farming has recently gained exposure with the continued environmental and health problems associated with factory farming. In essence, much of sustainable farming is really a "return to traditional farming," Chris explained. In traditional, or sustainable, farming, animals are not raised in a factory environment in very confined spaces and large amounts of dangerous antibiotics and pesticides are avoided.